But despite his team's wretched start to the season, Everton captain Phil Neville is refusing to panic just yet.

A goalless draw at Craven Cottage sustained Everton's worst start to a Premier League season since 1994. "You come off the field quite pleased with the performance and find you're bottom of the league," Neville lamented.

"But if you don't win matches, it's where you deserve to be.

Sorry

"There's no point feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to go to Birmingham next week and at the moment draws aren't enough."

Everton are developing a reputation for being late guests to the party. In Neville's first season at the club five years ago, they were at the foot of the table after losing seven of their first eight games.

"I remember saying to Leon Osman: 'Do you think we'll go down?' He said 'no, Everton are slow starters but the spirit will show through'," said Neville.